Miracle Strip Pier Park

Panama City Beach, Florida

Miracle Strip Pier Park is a smaller version of the original Miracle Strip Amusement Park that operated nearby in Panama City Beach and was loved by many. This reborn amusement park returned to Pier Park in March 2010 with several of the original rides, including the Carousel, Balloon Race and Red Baron Ride.

This 14-acre family amusement park offers 21 rides and attractions, including the RipTide Coaster, Tilt-a-Whirl, Ferris wheel, and Bumper Cars. Besides rides the park's attractions include batting cages, a rock climbing wall, zip line and bumper boats. The included Butterfly Pavilion is an enclosure where you can watch hundreds of butterflies frolic.

The origins of Miracle Strip Pier Park date back to 1963 when the Panama City Beach amusement park opened with its main attraction the Starliner roller coaster. After 41 years of operation the owner, Billy Lark, sold the land under the Miracle Strip Amusement Park to a condo developer.

The Starliner roller coaster departed the park after it was sold to Cypress Gardens Adventure Park two years after the park's closure. The Starliner was reassembled at Cypress Gardens where it operated for two years before the roller coaster and the park closed again.

Miracle Strip Pier Park recently purchased the Starliner and future plans call for its return to the park in 2015.